Skip to main content

Thank you for visiting nature.com. You are using a browser version with limited support for CSS. To obtain the best experience, we recommend you use a more up to date browser (or turn off compatibility mode in Internet Explorer). In the meantime, to ensure continued support, we are displaying the site without styles and JavaScript.

  • Perinatal/Neonatal Case Presentation
  • Published:

Perinatal/Neonatal Case Presentation

Myelomeningocele in an Infant with Intrauterine Exposure to Efavirenz

Abstract

We report a case of myelomeningocele in an infant whose mother was exposed to efavirenz during the first 16 weeks of pregnancy. Although the true risk for myelomeningocele with the use of efavirenz early in pregnancy is still unknown, the findings in humans are consistent with those observed in primates and suggest that efavirenz is a potent teratogen. Thus, we suggest that efavirenz only be prescribed for women of childbearing potential when no other comparable antiretroviral options are available.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution

Access options

Buy this article

Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Gulick RM, Ribaudo HJ, Shikuma CM, et al. Triple-nucleoside regimens versus efavirenz-containing regimens for the initial treatment of HIV-1 infection. N Engl J Med 2004;350:1850–1861.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Staszewski S, Morales-Ramirez J, Tashima KT, et al. Efavirenz plus zidovudine and lamivudine, efavirenz plus indinavir, and indinavir plus zidovudine and lamivudine in the treatment of HIV-1 infection in adults. Study 006 Team. N Engl J Med 1999;341:1865–1873.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Perinatal HIV Guidelines Working Group. Public Health Service Task Force. Recommendations for use of antiretroviral drugs in pregnant HIV-1-infected women for maternal health and interventions to reduce perinatal HIV-1 transmission in the United States Available on at: http://www.aidsinfo.nih.gov/guidelinesupdated June 23, 2004. Accessed January 6, 2005.

  4. Nightingale SL . From the food and drug administration. JAMA 1998;280:1472.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Fundaro C, Genovese O, Rendeli C, Tamburrini E, Salvaggio E . Myelomeningocele in a child with intrauterine exposure to efavirenz. AIDS 2002;16:299–300.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. De Santis M, Carducci B, De Santis L, Cavaliere AF, Straface G . Periconceptional exposure to efavirenz and neural tube defects. Arch Intern Med 2002;162:355.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Antiretroviral Pregnancy Registry Steering Committee. Antiretroviral Pregnancy Registry International Interim Report for January 1989 through 31 January 2004. Wilmington, NC: Registry Coordinating Center; 2004. Available from URL: www.apregistry.com.

  8. Botto LD, Moore CA, Khoury MJ, Erickson JD . Neural-tube defects. N Engl J Med 1999;341:1509–1519.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Saitoh, A., Hull, A., Franklin, P. et al. Myelomeningocele in an Infant with Intrauterine Exposure to Efavirenz. J Perinatol 25, 555–556 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.jp.7211343

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.jp.7211343

This article is cited by

Search

Quick links